The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-25
WILD GEESE.

Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal
HARRISBURG. d. T., Oct. lS.-For the infor-
nation and. perhaps benefit of sportsmen. I
will give very faint description of what
daily witnessing of the grand armies of the
strong winged birds whose name heads this let
ter OF the variety known further south as
wild geese, the "honkers," as they are called.
from their peculiar cry when on tho wing.
see large numbers. A great many of these nest
and breed about the small lakes in our neigh
borhood, and people often take the eggs
and hatch them under domestic
birds, either geese or hens. Besides
these there are the brant, smaller,
gray goose, and the beautiful snowy geese OF
these last there seems to be no limit to numbers.
The air is almost constantly filed with their
notes, and one can scarcely look up at the sky
which is wonderfully wide from these highlands
Without seeing focks of these magnificent
birds wheeling across i. in direction
other. No mathematics yet invented could
enunerate the hosts that have far appeared.
Instantaneous photography is the only method
by which any truthful represen tation can be
given OF their hosts. We rode ont, day or
two since, to the lake tWamhuska, sometimes
of the mellow, golden. bracing. thoroughly
enjoyable days that October sometimes brings
even to you poor dwelfers amid the mists and
damps of Indiana. but to us. she is lavish of
such treasures during her entire reign. All the
day and the days before-one cannot tell for how
long-focks on f1ocks of geese in countless num-
bers, sailing overhead in ranks and clus-
ters of ranks some dark and some snowy white,
with black-tipped wings They are conEregat-
ing ahont our beautiful lake. probably making
preliminary arrangements for their southern
flight. The whole blue vault which showed no
cloud was lined in every ~, direction
noon sun shone full upon their brilliant
plumage, tingng it Full golden color. than
which no bird of paradise could be more daz
cling: and the vast numbers on wing of shining.
gold hosts. made one of the finest sights
that one behold l never before any
thing TO equal It, When came in full view
OF the lake where there are several miles of
water in sight, there another remarkable
surprise for If the canopy above full
OF flying birds, the surface of that long stretch
of glistening water was a hundred times more
Along the further shore and far out from
land there were thousands of geese floating, so
close together that one saw no glimmer of water
between them.
Midway between the shores islands of geese
hoated. but appeared, to observers on the high
banks, like still. inanimate earth. covered with
a fresh fall of snow. Sportsmen were crouch
ing here and there behind clumps of bushes.
and every now and then rife shot echoed along
the woodland; but what were few sportsmen,
among such multitudes of birdsl
My neigh bor the postmaster. brought in half
dozen geese the result of two or three odd
half hours sport. Another neighbor took twelve
the same day. One man shot fourteen within
thirty minutes. The flesh of these birds is ex-
ceilent, and in this climate can be kept long
time. "A party OF sportSmen are mere now IroLu
Florida, and will spend a week or more.
Two gentlemen from Boston spent week
here shooting, and baeged large number of
ducks and several geese They left for home
about two weeks ago. Had thew remained till
now their sport would perhaps. have been more
satisfactory. as the larger birds far more
numerous at this time than month earlier.
AS it was, however, these Boston men were SO
we'll pleased with their trip. and with the oppor-
tunites for good shooting. that they left their
canoe here for next years use. In passing, /
Will m
made and stakes set for railroad
to our burg. which is promised to be
built next year. In country where a
railroad can be built at the rate of seven miles
per day, as the Manitoba has been doing the
past season between Devils lake and Montana,
1t is easy to believe thai we may not wait long
for the whistle of the engine Any good Hoosie
who wants fue sport and boundless pure air,
better than all the carbolic smoke balls and milk
shakes in the country to Set one up in good.
sound health, can find both right here with little
trouble. HOLLY HURST